U of T geoexchange project to reduce emissions, boost sustainability learning: National Observer
Published: April 25, 2022
The geoexchange field being built in the historic core of the University of Toronto鈥檚 St. George campus is unique both in the scale of its potential environmental impact and in its utility as a learning tool for sustainability-minded students.
A recent that was explores how the facility, connected to U of T's , will contribute to the St. George campus鈥檚 ambitious goal of becoming .
Ron Saporta, U of T鈥檚 chief operating officer, property services and sustainability, told the Observer that more than 300 geoexchange wells have been drilled to depths of over 250 metres, where they will enable the storage of excess heat produced in the summer for use in the winter. 鈥淭he ground is acting like a battery of sorts, but a thermal battery instead of an electric battery,鈥 Saporta said.
Saporta added that the emissions-reducing project has also 鈥渂een a focus of several courses" 鈥 and that a proposal by engineering students to have some of the wells drilled at an angle has been implemented. 鈥淲hat we鈥檙e trying to do is also use this project to enable more hands-on experiential learning,鈥 Saporta said.
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